Health bosses plan look into care inequality
HEALTH bosses in Rochdale are considering undertaking a study into inequalities in healthcare facing the local BAME community.
It follows a campaign by Spotland and Falinge councillor Faisal Rana about the inequalities, particularly in mental health and dementia services.
He has been pressing the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to improve the understanding of dementia among the BAME population and to take urgent action to improve services.
Rochdale Council and CCG chief executive Steve Rumbelow has admitted that there are ‘gaps in our knowledge and understanding of the issues faced by dementia suffers and their families in the BAME community.’
Mr Rumbelow has promised that a major study will be undertaken into the shortcomings of the service and the resources needed for Rochdale’s public health team ‘to focus on reducing avoidable inequalities in health outcomes.’
But he says, such a survey cannot be realistically undertaken until there is an end in sight to the pandemic.
In the meantime, a special strategy session of the CCG will address the issue of health inequalities in the borough and what action needs to be taken to improve health outcomes for the BAME community.
Coun Rana has been pressing local health managers for months about poor mental health and dementia services for minority ethnic people.
He said: “I am concerned about the lack of information and resources being put into the mental health needs of the BAME population, and particularly those living with dementia.
“Inequalities in health services, employment, housing, and many other issues are having a detrimental impact on the health and well-being of ethnic minority people.
“Coronavirus has made things worse, with the BAME community suffering much higher fatalities than the white population, coupled with a lack of government action to deal with this tragic situation.
“The largest ever study into health inequalities faced by the BAME community, carried out in January this year and led by the University of Manchester, found that healthrelated quality of life of most ethnic minority groups was worse compared to white British people, with the average health of 60-year-old BAME man similar to that of an average 80-year-old white person.
“The lack of provision of mental health and dementia services in Rochdale is particularly worrying.
“I presented a number of questions to Rochdale’s CCG outlining serious shortfalls.
“They had to admit they had little or no information about the extent of dementia among BAME groups which has led to little or no services being provided.”
“My mother suffered from dementia and it was obvious she faced a lack of knowledge, understanding and inadequate support from various NHS bodies.
“Rochdale’s health providers need to be sensitive to cultural stereotypes that mean some communities are assumed to ‘look after their own’, resulting in services that do not reach out to individuals and families from BAME communities.
“Urgent action is desperately needed to ensure BAME individuals and families are not left to cope alone, in fear, and without support.
“There have been several reports over the past decade highlighting the unequal provision of mental health services for the BAME community.
“I am aware that there a number of local authorities who demonstrate good practice in this area but, unfortunately, Rochdale has a long way to go to catch up.”
In a letter to Councillor Rana, Mr Rumbelow admitted there were number of gaps in their knowledge and understanding of the issues faced by dementia suffers and their families in the BAME community.
He said: “I think the COVID-19 pandemic has raised a raft of health inequalities that we need to pick up going forward.
“Gaps in our knowledge need addressing but that realistically a proper assessment will need to be undertaken once we are firmly on the path out of the pandemic.
“We are planning to undertake this work when it can be effectively commissioned.
“The Clinical Commissioning Group has quarterly strategy sessions where a specific policy area is reviewed in some detail. The next session will look at Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and I have asked that this area of population health is picked up as part of this.
“As we emerge from the current pandemic we will also be looking at what data our public health team needs to enable us to focus on reducing avoidable inequalities in health outcomes.”
Coun Rana is standing for Spotland and Falinge in the election, on May 6, 2021. Other candidates have until 4pm on April 8, 2021, to register.
“Urgent action is needed to ensure BAME individuals and families are not left to cope alone”